sharpening by hand

[SlackStatic]

So until I can afford a sharpmaker(cant believe there $60) I am forced to used some ezelap diamond stones.

I am having trouble finding that 20 degree angle without a protractor on me... any old timer hints or suggestions, I tried just eyeing it and feel like I did more harm then good.

I have this set for now http://www.knivesplus.com/eze-lap-sharpener-ez-lpak.html

I really want to learn how to do this on my own, but would hate to destroy my trusty izula in the process.

Thanks in advance guys.

 

[jfn]

I set the knife to where I feel I'm within a few degrees of the bevel, then I note where the knife is on my thumb. I use that as a base for where I should start with each stroke. I keep the spine pressed into the same spot and touch the stone with the bottom of my thumb before each stroke. It's consistancy in the angle you establish that makes for sharp knives.

 

[Don Rearic]

Sharpie, black coated blade, probably want to use a Red Sharpie. Paint just the edge. Remove the ink with whatever sharpening device you have. Feel the edge with the fingernail, see if it is slightly going over, strop on leather. Just use an old piece of leather, you don't need a hunnert dollar strop/strap.

Sharpening is like filing gun parts or fitting keys by hand with a file. Go slow and light, you can always take another stroke if you need to. In the case with gun parts and keys, you take too much off, you have to get a new key blank or part, with a knife, you just start over.

 

[The Z]

Fold the corner of a piece of paper over, and fold it again. That gives you 22.5 degrees (90 divided by 2, divided by 2). Pretty close to 20.

 

[choltzapple]

Never thought about that, good guide.

 

[PayetteRucker]

look down the edge from the point and micromanage any light showing through between the stone and the edge. After a few hours you should get the hang/general feel/muscle memory for that 20 degrees. Of course you'll slightly convex it but it's not the end of the world. It's functional that way... after all, you won't be lugging a sharpmaker around in the wilderness with you....